The next moment.
The basketball that had millions of fans on the edge of their seats traced a flawless arc through the air.
Then came a thud.
It hit the front rim.
And bounced out.
"Whoa!"
The arena erupted.
"What?!"
"He missed!"
"What?"
The commentators finally reacted.
France had no chance of coming back now.
"Antoine, you're the tallest. When Wang shoots his free throws, stand right beside him. If the ball bounces back, grab the rebound.
"He makes the first free throw, misses the second, and then grabs the rebound himself."
"Yes, maybe."
"And after it bounces back, it has to fall right toward your position, without veering to either side."
Parker's actions proved that it was possible.
Then Parker stepped back to the free-throw line.
The French fans saw hope and immediately cheered with delight.
And Parker secured the rebound once more.
"Oh, Mom, I get it! I get it!"
He swallowed his frustration and adjusted the French team's positioning for the next rebound.
"During a free throw, four players from each team have to stand outside the three-point line."
"And getting the ball to bounce back twice in a row makes it even more difficult."
The French team was completely baffled.
That immediately cut France's chances of winning by a factor of ten.
As if he'd discovered a new continent, he cried out:
If they had even the slightest chance left, all they could do now was pray that Parker would miss both free throws again.
Tony Parker beside him also caught on at once.
Not only was it possible—it was required.
France coach Tony Parker and his two assistants were all looking pleased.
"But what surprises me most isn't that he thought of all this. It's that he can actually pull it off."
"So how do